DUBAI: Arabian Gulf Cups have become a source of acute anguish for UAE head coaches.

Past glories, stellar reputations or World Cup qualifying progress have been no shield to their ruinous effects.

Shock defeat to Oman in the 23rd event鈥檚 showpiece in 2018 provided an unfulfilling start to Alberto Zaccheroni鈥檚 reign. Beaten World Cup 2010 finalist Bert van Marwijk was dismissed in the wake of Group A elimination by Qatar in 2019 and Rodolfo Arruabarrena was wounded through 2023鈥檚 Group B exit in bottom spot, despite being one of few big hitters to send a full-strength squad.

Such pitfalls awaited current incumbent Paulo Bento on Thursday upon arrival in Kuwait alongside his intriguing, and much-debated, selection for this winter鈥檚 26th running.

The Portuguese鈥檚 tenure experienced an uplifting turnaround in November with emphatic World Cup 2026 qualifying victories against Kyrgyzstan and familiar-foes Qatar 鈥� whom they open against in Group A on Saturday at Sulaibikhat Stadium.

Arabian Gulf Cup glory is always vital for an ambitious nation keen to add to victories in 2007 and 2013. The true target, however, must be to maintain momentum ahead of March鈥檚 resumption of the greater quest to make North America鈥檚 grand event.

鈥淚n my opinion, we should separate both things,鈥� Bento pragmatically responded on Abu Dhabi Sports when quizzed about the relationship between these twin aims. 鈥淭his is a competition (Arabian Gulf Cup) that has its own schedule.

鈥淚 would say it is a specific competition. But, it cannot have any kind of influence on what we are going to do in March (World Cup 2026 qualifying鈥檚 resumption).鈥�

The ex-Portugal and South Korea tactician will soon discover whether this demarcation is plausible, or fanciful.

Eyebrows were raised by a roster that failed to contain Al-Wasl golden boy Ali Saleh and Al-Ain鈥檚 AFC Champions League winning center-back Khalid Al-Hashemi. Renewed zest fueled by record goal scorer Ali Mabkhout鈥檚 bountiful summer switch to Al-Nasr has not sparked a recall, despite a glaring lack of center forward options.

Surprise also followed a debut call-up for unheralded naturalized midfielder Solomon Sosu, who has played one minute in ADNOC Pro League this term for Al-Ain. Full-back Faris Khalil has not even entered the top-flight fray this season for fallen holders Wasl, yet is in Kuwait.

Bento has made these decisive calls from a position of strength that seemed impossible after a deflating October, which contained one point from two third-round qualifiers.

He also now has rapid Al-Wahda center-back Lucas Pimenta available for selection. The impressive Brazil-born defender could form one of the continent鈥檚 great pairings with dominant Al-Ain defender Kouame Auton as the Whites鈥� naturalization drive shows no signs of abating.

Bento might want to 鈥渟eparate鈥� Arabian Gulf Cup and World Cup targets, but there will be lessons to learn in Kuwait.

A testing Group A contains a Qatar that have picked a full-strength squad for this event under new boss Luis Garcia, contrary to 2023鈥檚 experimental selection. The likes of record 2019 Asian Cup top scorer Almoez Ali and double AFC Player of the Year recipient Akram Afif will, surely, be determined to avenge last month鈥檚 consequential 5-0 humbling in Abu Dhabi.

Hosts Kuwait have an entire nation behind them, while their fellow World Cup 2026 third-round competitors Oman are much improved under Rashid Jaber鈥檚 stewardship.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be tough, due to many aspects,鈥� said Bento. 鈥淭hey (Group A opponents) have their own goals, as well.

鈥淭he first game is going to be difficult (against Qatar) and tough for sure. It will not be easy to win again, after winning two times (in World Cup 2026 qualifying).

鈥淔or now, we should think about the first game. Then, step by step, analyze and recover the players, checking the best options for the next games.鈥�

Break out of a demanding Group A, and a collision course could be set for Iraq and 黑料社区.

The former come into this competition as reigning champions, plus red-hot favorites to make World Cup 2026. Scheduling for this tournament has been kind, meaning many of their foreign-based stars are available for selection because of winter breaks.

Rare uncertainty surrounds a 黑料社区 that claimed only one point last month from the returning Herve Renard鈥檚 opening pair of World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The Frenchman will be without Roma right-back Saud Abdulhamid, plus Beerschot loanees Faisal Al-Ghamdi and Marwan Al-Sahafi.

Fitness doubts also continue to swirl around Al-Hilal talisman Salem Al-Dawsari.

The challenge will be stiff in this hotly contested regional tournament. However, ample reasons for UAE optimism exist.

A strong run in Kuwait can only bolster belief within Bento鈥檚 squad, no matter his understandable attempts to calm expectations 鈥� and worrying implications if the reverse occurs.

The Whites sit a tantalizing third in Group A of World Cup 2026 qualifying鈥檚 third round, just three points behind second-placed Uzbekistan. This is well within striking distance of automatic entry bequeathed by a top-two finish, with four games remaining.

Contrasting tests await in March at perennial qualifiers Iran and bottom-placed North Korea. Bento鈥檚 men must come through those examinations in good health, if dreams of a second-ever World Cup spot are to become real.

The competitive Portuguese will embrace any triumph at 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, as will the country. Mahdi Ali and Bruno Metsu are rightly lionized for this century鈥檚 cherished regional wins with the UAE.

Bento is, however, fully aware that his tenure will only truly be judged a success by attaining global aspirations. It is the exclusive club of World Cup qualifiers populated by Mario Zagallo alone that he must enter.